A Qualitative Study of Iranian Youth’s Experience of Grieving and Coping With the Loss of a Companion Animal

Abstract

In Iran, Islamic jurisprudence, cultural norms, and legal restrictions have traditionally discouraged the ownership of companion animals, particularly in public spaces. Despite this, the prevalence of companion animal ownership, especially in urban centers such as Tehran, has significantly increased. This shift has introduced new emotional experiences, particularly among the younger population, who now confront profound grief following the death of these animals. In our study, we aim to underscore the significant role of companion animals in the lives of young adults in Iran and explore how participants cope with the deep sadness and grief of losing a companion animal. This research was conducted using a qualitative approach and thematic analysis method. Participants were selected using theoretical sampling. We conducted in-depth interviews with 32 participants who had experienced such a loss. After analyzing the data, seven main themes were explored: spectrum of care, presence of death, profound emotional trauma, longing for shared memories, social support, normalization, and symbolic replacement. These findings highlight how mourning the loss of a companion animal introduces young people to the concept of death, shaping their emotional landscape and posing complex challenges during the adaptation and recovery process.